William “Bill” Walton, 85, passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2024, with his family by his side. He was born on October 21, 1938, in Green Bay to the late Melvin and Johanna (Baumgart) Walton, he was the oldest of seven children.
Bill graduated from St. Mary’s of the Angels Grade School and in 1953, attended St. Bonaventure Minor Seminary and High School for his freshman, sophomore and junior year. He then transferred to Green Bay East High School and graduated in 1957. Bill also completed several semesters at U.W.-Green Bay.
On September 9, 1972, he married Patricia “Patti” Van Beek at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Green Bay. They have two children, daughter Cynthia “Cindy” and Joseph “Joe”.
Bill was employed as a Porter at Bellin Hospital for five years, wrote articles for the Hospital paper “The Bee Line” and when the Employee of the month program was initiated was the first employee to receive this award. In 1962, Bill went to work at Schreiber Food. He started out in the general labor pool, became a wrapper operator, then area specialist, and was a supervisor when he retired in 1995.
Bill was very active in the Scouting program. He was the Wolf Den Leader of St. Matthews Pack 4230, Allouez Pack 4130, Assistant Webelos Leader, Cubmaster and Committee Chairman. With his son Joe, he went into Boy Scouts at Resurrection Boy Scout Troop 1139, where Bill was the Scoutmaster, Committee Chairman, and Committee Member. Bill became the Organizational Representative for Cub Scout Pack 4139, Troop 1139, and Venture Crew 9139.
Bill earned his Wood Badge Beads and was proud to be a Buffalo. He also earned the Cubmaster, Training Award, Scouter Key, and Distinguished Commission knots, and was awarded the District Award of Merit, Distinguished Scoutmaster, and Silver Beaver Award. When Bill received the Silver Beaver Award, Patti suggested he get a personalized license plate SLVR BVR, which he did. Bill served as a Staff Member on numerous Council and Voyageur District Events.
When the Fly-Fishing Merit Badge was introduced at the 2001 Jamboree, Bill became very active B Fly Fishing and was the Chairman of “The Introduction to: Fly Fishing” Voyageur District Fall Camporee at Gardner Dam in 2003 and again in 2007. The CAI (Certified Angling Instructor) program was introduced at the 2005 Jamboree. Bill took the required steps to earn Certificate #20. He was also a member of the International Game Fish Association, The Federation of Fly Fisherman, Trout Unlimited, Classic Anglers and Leave No Trace. Then the Troop attended summer camp at Camp Decorah and Bear Paw Scout Camp, where he taught the Fly-Fishing Merit Badge.
Bill joined the Father Claude Allouez Knights of Columbus Council #10714 and was its Worthy Chancellor. He later. joined the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus St. Jude Assembly #1724 and was its Faithful Purser, Faithful Navigator and Faithful Comptroller. Bill liked to call Bingo and was active in the Council Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge and Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest. Bill looked forward to putting on his Honor Guard regalia for parades and special events, especially when he was handing out the medals to the winners of the Special Olympics. Bill was the Captain of the Usher Team at St. Matthews Church and then when he joined Resurrection Catholic Church where he was the Usher Captain again.
Bill will be sadly missed by his wife, Patti; daughter, Cindy; son, Joe; sisters, Mary Gegare, and Marjorie (William) Stary; brothers, Peter (Connie) Walton, and James (Michelle) Walton; brothers in-law, Dale (Louise) Van Beek, Denis (special friend, Liz) Van Beek and sister in-law Dawn (Mike) Jolly.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Edward and John Walton; brothers-in-law, Dean Van Beek, David Van Beek and Roger Gegare.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Parish wake service 5:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Monday at Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Hilltop Dr., from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Funeral Mass 11:00 a.m. Monday at the church with Rev. Tom Reynebeau officiating. Entombment will take place in the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum. Online condolences may be expressed at www.prokowall.com.
In lieu of other expressions or sympathy, a memorial fund will be established.
Alex Bahrke is serving the family.